Use Corrosion Resistant Bearings to Repair or Rebuild Your ATV

When choosing the best bearing for your particular application, it is important that you choose one that will hold up well over time. No matter what you are intending to use your bearing in, the material your bearing is composed of can mean the difference between your bearing being successful over the long haul, and having to replace it sooner than expected.

ATV bearings are no different. In fact, because of the type of environmental interaction your put your ATV through while enjoying a day on the trails, the bearings in your machine are more prone to corrode from exposure. If a bearing on your vehicle wears out, replacing it with a high-quality, corrosion-resistant part will allow you to enjoy your machine for a longer period of time.

Bearings made from the following materials are known to resist corrosion:

• Stainless Steel Bearings - Stainless steel does not usually corrode as quickly as other metals when subject to humid or wet conditions, due to a thin, passive film that covers the surface of this material. In general, most corrosion is the result of a technically complicated electrochemical process that involves an anode and cathode being connected by an electrolyte. This thin film effectively prevents the metal substrate in stainless steel from coming into contact with corrosive elements, usually moisture. Eventually, this film may break down, and that is when corrosion or rust occurs. Exposure to weak acids that occur naturally in the environment can also cause the film to break down, however, the film that covers stainless steel products can effectively resist corrosion and lengthen the useful life of a stainless steel bearing.
• Nickel-Plated Bearings - Like stainless steel, pure nickel is very much resistant to corrosion in damp environments. Unlike stainless steel, nickel-plated bearings are able to effectively resist many of those same acids that interrupt the electrochemical process and allow corrosion to occur. It could be argued that because of this extra resistance, a nickel-plated bearing is superior to a stainless steel bearing when it comes to corrosion resistance.
• Thermoplastic Bearings - Some of the bearings that we carry are comprised of a combination of stainless steel and thermoplastic, such as some of our two and three-bolt flange bearings. Thermoplastic materials are highly corrosive resistant due to their compositional make-up. Most bearings made for use in ATV's are not made of thermoplastic, but due to the nature of the anti-corrosive properties of thermoplastic, it deserves due mention. If you are searching for a corrosive resistant bearing that is created to be cost-effective, a bearing that includes thermoplastic materials deserves your due consideration.

No matter what a bearing is made of, it will probably suffer from some sort of degradation over time, however, if your bearing is made from a corrosion resistant material, it is highly likely that you will enjoy a longer-lasting success.

Having trouble locating just the right ATV bearings that will fit your machine? We carry a wide variety of specialty bearings and will be happy to help you find what you need to get your ATV back on the trails in no time. Looking for bearings to rebuild your ATV? Our wheel bearing kits and differential kits come with all the pieces you will need. We carry these kits for many of the popular makes and models of ATV. Buying the kit can save you time, and money, however, if only one or two bearings are needed, we will be happy to help you locate only the pieces you need for your rebuild.

To learn more about corrosion resistant bearings, or any of the products we carry, contact us today! Because we stock almost 100% of the parts listed on our website, it is highly likely that we have your part in stock and can get it to you quickly. Our friendly staff is standing by to help you with all your bearing needs!